In the anime world, fans have more streaming choices than ever. Crunchyroll has remained the biggest dedicated anime platform for years, but Bilibili is now making a serious push to challenge that position.
Its free anime library, growing international presence, huge Chinese animation catalog, and massive online community give it several ways to attract fans. With that said, here are five reasons Bilibili could become Crunchyroll‘s biggest rival in 2026.
1. Bilibili Has a Huge Free Anime Library
A still from Fairies Album. | Credit: Haoliners Animation
The biggest advantage Bilibili has is also the easiest one to understand: fans can watch a lot of content for free. While availability depends on the series and region, the platform offers a sizeable selection of anime without immediately asking viewers to pay for a subscription.
That is especially important at a time when streaming costs continue to add up. Crunchyroll’s cheapest US plan now costs $9.99 per month, while its free ad-supported option is no longer available for new seasonal simulcasts. Bilibili, on the other hand, gives people a reason to try the platform first and decide later if they want Premium.
2. Its Anime Catalog Goes Beyond Japanese Anime
Bilibili’s biggest strength may actually be the content that is not Japanese anime. The platform has a strong connection to donghua. Series such as Link Click and Heaven Official’s Blessing have already helped more international viewers discover donghua.
This gives Bilibili a chance to build a different identity. Crunchyroll can continue adding major Japanese anime, but Bilibili can offer Japanese anime and Chinese animation side by side. For fans who want to explore beyond the usual seasonal releases, that variety could become a major reason to stay.
3. Bilibili Already Has a Massive Community
A still from donghua series The Daily Life of the Immortal King. | Credit: Haoliners Animation League
Bilibili is also entering the international anime market with something most new streaming services do not have: a massive existing audience. Its huge user base shows that Bilibili is much more than an anime streaming website.
That community could become one of its biggest advantages. More importantly, Bilibili works more like a mix of an entertainment platform and a social network, with creator videos, gaming content, livestreams, and its famous danmaku, or scrolling comments. A fan may open the platform for an anime episode but stay for everything else around it. That kind of engagement is difficult for a traditional streaming service to recreate.
4. Its International Push Is Becoming More Serious
A still from donghua series No Doubt in Us. | Credit: Paper Plane Animation Studio
Bilibili’s international expansion is another reason to take it seriously. The platform already has a presence in Southeast Asian markets including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is also making its international app easier for viewers outside China to access.
Free content, regional pricing, local-language support, and a growing anime catalog can help Bilibili attract more viewers. There are still problems to solve, especially regional licensing and localization. Some shows may not be available in every country, and Bilibili’s international service is still developing. However, its growing presence shows that the company is no longer treating overseas viewers as a small side market.
5. Bilibili Offers More Than an Anime Subscription
The comedy series God Troubles Me. | Credit: L²Studio
This may ultimately be Bilibili’s most interesting advantage. It is not trying to be just another Crunchyroll. A Bilibili user can watch Japanese anime, discover donghua, follow creators, watch gaming videos, explore livestreams, and interact with other fans on the same platform.
Crunchyroll still has a huge advantage when it comes to major Japanese anime, simulcasts, English dubs, and its enormous dedicated catalog. Bilibili is not going to erase that lead overnight. Instead, its free content can bring viewers in, its donghua library can give them something different, and its massive community can keep them on the platform.
Now the big question: Do you also feel that Bilibili could really become Crunchyroll’s biggest rival in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
